Re: Tales of the Rune-Tech Sage

Chapter 165: The Victim of War

CH165 The Victim of War

***

Alex stared at the goblin’s corpse in disbelief.

For a brief moment, he wondered if perhaps he wasn’t the only one reincarnated in this world.

’But why a goblin? Of all things, why would someone reincarnate as vermin?’ he thought. ’And from the way it died, that goblin clearly didn’t have a main character halo. At most... it was an extra.’

He sensed several people approaching.

Shaking his head, he dismissed the impossible thought and chose instead to focus on his current reality—namely, that his platoon had successfully completed their raid on the goblin village.

”Commander, are you alright?” Lieutenant Cross asked as he stepped closer.

”Hmm? Never better. Why do you ask?” Alex raised a brow.

”It just seemed strange that you deviated from the plan and cast such a powerful spell when it wasn’t required. I thought perhaps there was another threat present,” the Lieutenant explained.

”Oh...” Alex’s lips twitched.

How could he possibly admit that he only did it because he didn’t want to be outdone by a goblin in spellcasting? That he had cast a Grade 5 spell purely to overshadow the Goblin Village Chief’s earlier protective barrier spell?

He couldn’t say that... right?

Instead, he replied shamelessly, ”I was concerned the Goblin Village Chief might have had another hidden trick up its sleeve—like that barrier. So I chose to eliminate any chance of unfavourable outcomes.

”Between expending a bit of mana and ensuring the safety of my unit, the priority was obvious.”

”I see, Commander.” Lieutenant Cross nodded, apparently convinced. He bowed slightly. ”Thank you for your concern, Young Lord Alex.”

”No need for such stiff formality, Lieutenant. What kind of leader would I be if I let my people die?”

Inwardly, Alex wanted to vomit from the shame. But he held a straight face as his words earned nods of appreciation and even admiration from some members of his platoon.

He was beginning to understand why politicians were so good at saying sweet-sounding nonsense.

It worked—because it was exactly what people wanted to hear.

Thankfully, he didn’t need to keep up the facade for long, as the leaders of the other subunits walked over.

Taking the opportunity, Alex shifted the topic. ”Have the men sweep the battlefield for anything useful. Then burn all the goblin corpses.”

”Yes, sir,” said the Spear Captain before turning to relay the orders.

Alex faced the remaining subunit leaders. ”Before he died, the Goblin Village Chief mentioned that other seed colonies exist elsewhere in the forest. If this village’s growth rate is anything to go by, then we can’t afford to let them mature further.

”Therefore, we split into four groups to cover more ground. One group will be led by me, another by Lieutenant Cross, and a third by Laura. The rest of you captains will decide who leads the fourth group among yourselves.

”My team will have Fen. The remaining three will each be accompanied by a pair of Direwolves. They’ll help you locate hidden goblin colony if it exists. If you find one, take it out if you can. If you can’t alone, signal the other groups until you’ve gathered enough strength to destroy it.

”Understood?”

”Yes, sir.”

”Any questions?”

Lieutenant Cross raised a hand slightly. ”Can we be sure the Goblin Village Chief was telling the truth?”

”I believe it believed what it said. That’s reason enough for me to act. Besides, our mission is to survey this forest corridor to the northern entrance anyway,” Alex replied evenly.

”Understood.”

”Any other questions?”

Silence.

”Good. Go and rejoin your units,” Alex dismissed them with a nod.

Just as he turned, Udara’s voice echoed in his mind.

”Master, there is something you need to see in the goblin’s mine. You should bring Lieutenant Cross.”

Alex didn’t hesitate. ”Lieutenant, with me.”

The two men quickly made their way toward the goblins’ cave mine.

Even before they entered, the stench of blood and debauchery wafted out of the cave, thick and cloying. Neither man flinched. They endured the vile scent and stepped inside.

It was dark—suffocatingly so—but Alex could see clearly thanks to the Enhanced Vision granted by his Truth-Seeker eyes. Lieutenant Cross, however, was not so fortunate. His vision was severely impaired in the gloom.

”Close your eyes, Lieutenant,” Alex instructed.

The middle-aged man obeyed without hesitation.

[Light Orb]

Alex cast a simple spell. A glowing sphere of light floated into the air, illuminating the cave with a gentle radiance.

”You can open your eyes now, Lieutenant. But do it slowly—let your eyes adjust.”

Lieutenant Cross gradually opened his eyes, blinking several times as his sight returned.

”Thank you, Commander.”

”No problem. Let’s move.”

They advanced deeper into the cave.

As they proceeded, they stepped over goblin corpses—likely slain by Udara. The winding tunnel eventually gave way to a wide cavern chamber.

To one side, they found a crude pile of freshly excavated iron ore. On the opposite side lay something far more horrifying—females.

These were the breeding females of various species—victims the goblins had assaulted to multiply their numbers at a terrifying rate.

Among them were primates native to the Dankrot Forest—monkeys, apes—and more exotic beings like lycanthropes: werebears, weredogs, and werecats. There was even a female wendigo among them.

Most shocking of all, however, were the human females.

None had been spared the goblins’ vile urges. Their wombs had been forced to bear new goblin litters.

Some were visibly pregnant. Others had only just given birth. Around them were the corpses of goblin newborns—clearly neutralised by Udara’s hand. And yet... not a single female reacted. Even as blood trickled toward them, they stared ahead blankly.

Alex gazed into their eyes. All he found were empty, lifeless pupils.

Even the wendigo females—creatures known for their ferocity and bloodlust—sat eerily still, devoid of recognition or thought.

”They’re broken...” Alex muttered with a sigh.

Now he understood why Udara had asked him to bring Lieutenant Cross along.

These females needed to be released. But Udara, as his Shadow Guard, couldn’t take such action without his explicit order. She’d feared he might hesitate—so she ensured someone would be present to carry out the merciful deed.

”Commander,” Lieutenant Cross said grimly, ”they’re beyond saving. There’s only one thing left we can do.”

Alex had no rebuttal.

Even he could see the truth. Whatever these women had been... they were gone.

He walked to the pair of human females and knelt before them. Slowly, he reached out his hand.

”If you still have the strength to take my hand, I promise—I’ll do everything I can to help you.”

”Young Lord!” Lieutenant Cross called out sharply.

Alex turned to him, and in that moment, Cross faltered.

The boy’s crimson eyes blazed in the dim cave—the unmistakable trait of the Furor Bloodline. The signature of the highest lineage within the Fury family...

Calm Madness.

Lieutenant Cross froze, careful not to speak out of turn. The aura surrounding the young Commander warned him to tread lightly.

Yet after a long, tense pause... neither woman moved.

Alex let out a long sigh and withdrew his hand.

Just as he began to rise, he heard it.

”Please...”

His head snapped toward the voice.

”I’m here,” he said, rushing back. ”I’ll get you to safety.”

”Please... let it... end. Please... let it... end...” she murmured weakly.

The words repeated over and over again. A broken loop.

Alex’s face twisted, and he laughed—harsh, bitter, and hollow.

He had hoped. But she too was gone.

He stood up.

”She’s lost as well,” he said quietly.

***